On Thursday, June 30th, 25 and 1/2 couple of Elms pupils attended their own Puppy Show at the Ledbury Hunt kennels. All those attending - aged from 7 to 13 - had hunted with the Ledbury from The Elms school during the last season. The Joint Masters, Mr David Redvers, Mrs Louise Daly and Mr Ed Phillipson-Stow and the Huntsman, Mark Melladay have deep wells of patience and probably ear ache from allowing the children to hunt from Second Horses each Monday in term time.
The children judged the Young Entry and those whose opinions tallied with those of the Judges at the Puppy Show held during the previous week were suitably rewarded with Haribo! Then six children were awarded their hunting colours, Countryside Alliance maroon ties which they can wear as part of their uniform next year, and 16 gained glass tumblers for tumbling off during the 2015-16 season. Mrs Daly, who is the long suffering Monday Master, awarded the Master's special prizes - one for the child who had made the most progress and one to the child whose remark had made her laugh the most during the season.
Hard earned pound coins were then handed over to Mr Donald Haden to sponsor two hounds, Makeup and Lampton, for another season and these two were hugged, fed biscuits and suitably fussed over by pupils. Mark Melladay also brought a litter of this seasons puppies down to the yard in a wheelbarrow. A refreshing visit to the flesh house - mostly taken up by the boys - was followed by an excellent barbecue lunch prepared by Mrs Daly and Mrs Redvers. A wonderful finale to the school's hunting year and the coming season is being eagerly awaited.